Electric fitting



Feb. 4, 1936 P. D. HARTMANN 2 ,0 9,7 6

ELECTRIC FITTING Filed June 1, 1953 V INVENTOR 1%! fl fl arz mmzn bisATTORNEYS the fittings.

Patented Feb. 4, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ELECTRIC FITTINGApplication June 1, 1933, Serial No. 673,806

5 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in electric fittings and moreparticularly to improvements in electric fittings of the type commonlyemployed in wall outlet boxes.

Heretofore when it has been found desirable to provide more than onefitting in a single outlet box, it has been necessary to make use of aspecially manufactured unitary structure to be located in the box. Insome instances, it is desirable to have a combination of fittings, suchas for examplega'receptacle' for a plug and switch combined in the samebox. In other instances it may be desirable to have two receptacles forplugs combined in the same box. In still other cases it may be desirableto combine a fitting of the character known as a bulls eye, with anotherfitting of different character in the same outlet box. Such combinationsof fittings havebeen supplied to the user in the finished unit form forinstallation with the result that the combination could not be changedwithout substituting an entirely different unit.

An object of the present invention is to provide a retaining member forelectric fittings of such character that fittings of different types canbe secured thereto or removed therefrom at will.

Another object of the invention is to provide a retaining member forelectric fittings of such character that various combinations offittings can be secured thereto.

A further object of the invention is to provide a retaining member ofthe character set forth so constructed that the fittings secured theretowill be arranged to register with the openings of an ordinary duplexflush receptacle plate.

In the present invention use is made of a metallic strap of such sizeand shape as to be capable 'of being secured in an ordinary duplexoutlet box. The strap is provided with a pair of openings therein ofsuch size as to receive fit-- tings of different types, the" bodies ofwhich are preferably made up of some molded insulating material; Thewall of each opening near the ends of the strap are provided with offsetportions which serve to engage shoulders on the bodies of The openingsin the strap are of slightly greater length than the length of part ofthefittings so that such part of each fitting can be passed through anopening and then moved longitudinally an amount sufficient to permitengagement of one of the shoulders on the fitting with the ofiset partof one of the strap-opening walls. When a pair of fittings have beenintroduced in the two openings, it will be seen that one end of eachfitting will beheld in engagement with the offset parts of the strapwhile the other ends of the fittings would be free for movement. Toprevent such movement, use is made of a plate which is positionedsubstantially centrally of the strap and which engages shoulders on thefittings opposite to those previously engaged by the offset parts of thestrap. This plate has a central threaded aperture which can be movedinto register with an unthreaded aperture in the central part of thestrap, the threaded aperture in the plate serving to receive thecustomary screw with which a duplex flush receptacle plate is secured tothe strap. The two fittings will be of such configuration in theirexposed parts as to fit within the usual openings provided in suchduplex flush receptacle plate. 7

The fittings can be of any desired character, that is, they may bereceptacles for electric plugs; switches; the so-called bulls-eyes;orfittings of any other character, the only requirement being that thebodies of the fittings be of substantially uniform size andconfiguration regardless of the type of the fitting. With theserequirements met,

. it will be seen that any desired combination of fittings can beassembled for mounting in a single outlet box. Furthermore, with thistype of strap the combination of fittings can be made up at the time ofinstallation, thereby reducing the number of unitary assemblies that theuser would ordinarily have to provide.

Other features and advantages of the invention -will become apparent byreference to the following detail description read in the light of theaccompanying drawing, wherein Fig. 1 is a plan view of a strap of thepresent invention with a pair of electric fittings secured thereto.

Fig. '2 is a section taken substantially on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1, andindicating in dotted lines the manner in which a fitting can beinstalled in the strap.

Fig. 3 is aplan view of the strap of the invention.

Fig. 4 is an end view of one of the fittings used in the practice of theinvention; and

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the locking plate employed in theinvention.

Referring now to the drawing, l0 indicates generally a metallic strap ofsuch size and shape as to be capable of being secured in an outlet boxof conventional character. This strap is provided with the customaryopenings I l in the ends thereof, through which screws may pass tofasten the strap in the box. The strap is provided intermediate the endswith a wid p t and this wide portion has a pair of openings I2 therein.The wall of each opening l2 adjacent the end of the strap is providedwith an offset portion l4 depressed an amount sufficient to cause thetop of the part M to be in substantial alignment with the bottom of therest of the strap.

The adjacent walls of the openings are provided with cutaway parts l5,the purpose of which will be explained hereinafter. The central web ofthe strap is provided with an unthreaded aperture l6.

In conjunction with a strap of the character just described, use may bemade of a pair of electric fittings of any desired type. These fittingswhich are indicated at 20 and 2| in Fig. 1,-

are respectively a receptacle for a plug and a switch. Other types offittings of course can be employed. Each fitting, regardless of thetype, will be of the same general exterior construction, having a toppart 22 in the nature of a 'fiange so shaped as to correspond to theshape of the openings in a duplex flush receptacle plate of conventionalcharacter. Inasmuch as such plate does not form any part of the presentinvention, it is not illustrated herein. Extending downwardly from theupper part 22 is a body part 24, within which can be mounted contacts,etc. The fitting may be made of two parts if desired and clampedtogether in any suitable fashion. These parts are preferably molded fromsome suitable insulating material.

Extending from opposite edges of the fitting and below the part 22 areflanges 25. The overall dimension of the fitting from one edge of aflange 25 to the other edge thereof is slightly greater than the lengthof the apertures from one end wall to the other thereof. The flanges,however, are of width substantially corresponding to the extent acrossthe strap of the offset part [4 and the cutaway part l5.

The remaining element in the combination consists of a fiat metallicplate 30, the length of which is approximately equal to the width of thestrap. This plate 30 is wider however than the central web 3| of thestrap. The plate is provided with a .central aperture 32 which isthreaded if desired. 'The area immediately surrounding theaperture maybe made of increased thickness to provide walls of increased depth.

The threaded aperture 32 is of such size that a bolt engaged therewithmay pass freely into opening IS in the web of the strap.

When it is desired to assemble a combination of fittings in conjunctionwith the strap ll] of the invention, a fitting is moved into positionshown in dotted lines in Fig. 2 (the plate 30 being moved out ofobstructing position). The fitting can then be moved downwardly throughthe aperture and then shifted slightly toward the end of the strap untilone shoulder 25 is engaged by an offset portion l4. During the assembly,one shoulder 25 passes through the cutaway part l5,'thereby permittingthe fitting to be introduced as shown, such cutaway part l beingnecessary due to differences in dimensions of the fitting and the strapopening. Another fitting of the same type, or of different type, maythen be introduced in the other strap opening and moved to cause one ofits shoulders 25 to engage the other ofiset part I4 of the strap. Inthis position the bottom edges of the parts 22 V of the fitting rest onthe side edges of the strap with the circular part of the fittingsslightly overhanging the side edge of the strap.

The two fittings can then be locked in place by sliding a plate 3!] intoposition to fit over the adjacent shoulders 25 of the two fittings. Whenthe strap and fittings have been thus assembled, the electric conductorscan be attached to the fittings and then the assembly secured in the boxin the usual fashion. Once positioned in the box and with a duplex flushreceptacle plate positioned thereover, the fittings are locked againstmovement due to the fact that the screw which attaches the receptacleplate to the assembly engages the threaded aperture 32 of the plate 30.

From the foregoing it will be seen that the present invention providesan arrangement whereby any desired combination of electric fittings canbe assembled for installation in a single outlet box. Furthermore, theinvention is of such character that the fittings are interchangeable atwill, so that various conditions and requirements can be readily met. Anadvantage in the invention resides in the fact that when installingfittings, the installer can be provided with a collection of varioustypes of fittings and can assemble these fittings into the desiredcombinations on the job. This ready assembly eliminates the necessityfor providing the installer with aconsiderable number of variouspermanent assemblies as has been customary in the art heretofore.Moreover, if conditions at any time change, the combination can belikewise changed by merely reversing the order of assembly and thenreassembling any suitable combination of fittings.

It will be apparent from the foregoing that the invention is capable ofconsiderable modification, in View of which it is to be understood thatthe illustrated embodiments are not shown for purpose of limiting theinvention, but are shown only as illustrative of the preferred form. Theinvention therefore is to be limited only by the scope of the followingclaims.

I claim:

1. The combination of a metallic strap having an opening therein, anelectric fitting casing having external stop members adjacent the topthereof and having external shoulders below said stops, said casingbeing passed through said opening until said stops contact with the topof the strap, one of said shoulders engaging under the bottom of saidstrap when said casing is shifted laterally in the opening, and a platesecured beneath said strap in position to decrease the size of saidopening and to engage over another of said shoulders on said casing,whereby said casing is substantially locked against movement in theopening.

2. The combination of a metallic strap having a plurality of openingstherein, a plurality of electric fitting casings having external stopmembers adjacent the tops thereof and having external shoulders belowsaid stops, said casings being passed through said openings until saidstops contact with the top of the strap, one of said shoulders on eachcasing engaging under the bottom of said strap when said casings areshifted laterally in the openings, and a plate secured beneath saidstrap in position to decrease the sizes of said openings and to engageover another of the said shoulders on each of said casings whereby saidcasings are substantially locked against movement in the openings.

3. The combination of a metallic strap having a plurality of openingstherein separated by a web, a plurality of electric fitting casin shaving external stop members adjacent the tops thereof and havingexternal shoulders below said stops, said casings being passed throughsaid openings until said stops contact with the top of the strap, one ofsaid shoulders on each casing engaging under the bottom, of said strapwhen said casings are shifted laterally in the opening, and a platesecured beneath said web, said plate being of such width as to decreasethe size of said openings and to engage over another of the saidshoulders on each of said casings to prevent Withdrawal of the casingsfrom the openings.

4. The combination of a metallic strap having a plurality ofsubstantially rectangular-shaped openings therein separated by a web, aplurality of electric fitting casings having external stop membersadjacent the tops thereof and having oppositely disposed externalshoulders below said stops, said casings being passed through saidopenings until said stops contact with the top of the strap, one of saidshoulders on each of said casings engaging under the bottom of saidstrap when said casings are shifted toward the ends of the strap; and aplate secured beneath said web in position to decrease the size of saidopenings and to engage over another of the said shoulders on each ofsaid casings to lock said casings to said strap.

5. The combination of a metallic strap having a plurality ofsubstantially rectangular-shaped openings therein, a part of the endwall of each of said openings adjacent the respective ends of the strapbeing depressed, a plurality of electric fitting casings having externalstop members adjacent the tops thereof and having oppositely disposedexternal shoulders below said stops, said casings being passed throughsaid openings until said stops contact with the top of the strap, one ofsaid shoulders on each of said casings engaging under the bottom of saiddepressed parts of the end walls of the openings when said casings areshifted toward the ends of the strap, and a plate secured beneath saidstrap between said openings in position to decrease the size of saidopenings and to engage over another of the said shoulders on each ofsaid casings to lock said casings to said strap.

POVL D. HARTMANN.

